A security camera outside a Central Ward apartment building recorded an officer throwing 15-year-old Travis Rattrey to the ground last month; the officer has been suspended without pay. In another incident, footage from a television news camera showed an officer apparently kicking 23-year-old Jamil Richardson while another cop restrained him after a vehicle chase.

Police Director Garry McCarthy has said the videos showed "improper tactics." Both cases are under investigation.

Meanwhile, the department is awaiting a $400,000 grant to fund dashboard cameras. Deborah Jacobs, executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, has long argued that placing cameras in police cars is essential in serving everyone’s interests, from citizens who allege abuse to officers falsely accused of misconduct.

Jacobs would like to see Newark come up with a plan to equip the city’s entire police fleet as soon as possible. So would we. Having a camera in every cop car is crucial to making police accountable, and invaluable when trying to determine the truth in civilian complaints. When it comes to carefully investigating accusations of police brutality, there’s no better witness.